INEC to Unveil Shortlisted Political Associations After By-Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will soon release the names of political associations that have successfully scaled the first hurdle towards registration as political parties.

The move comes on the heels of by-elections held across 12 states on Saturday, which the commission described as a critical step before unveiling the next phase of its registration process.

In a statement on Sunday, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed that a dedicated online portal had been created for party registration and that several associations had already submitted applications.

According to him, the commission has begun the process of shortlisting associations that meet the stipulated requirements.

“Meanwhile, having created the portal for party registration, the commission has commenced the shortlisting of the associations that meet the requirements to proceed to the application stage. Details will be released immediately after the 16 by-elections in 12 States scheduled for Saturday, 16th August 2025,” Olumekun said.

The commission disclosed that it had received no fewer than 151 letters of intent from different groups seeking registration as political parties. However, many of the applications were flagged for irregularities, including incomplete information and violations of registration guidelines.

INEC reiterated that all applications would be reviewed strictly in line with its legal and procedural standards before approval or rejection.

Already, dozens of unusual and striking party names have emerged from the submissions. Some of the proposed names include: Key of Freedom Party, Absolute Congress, All Grassroot Party, Congress Action Party, United Social Democrats Party, National Action Congress, New Nigeria Congress, United People’s Victory Party, Allied Conservative Congress, Peoples Freedom Party, Abundant Social Party, All Nigeria’s Party, Citizens Party of Nigeria, National Freedom Party, Patriots Party, and Movement of the People.

Others in the mix are: Peoples National Congress, Alliance of Patriots, African Union Congress, Socialist Equality Party, About Nigeria Party, Africa Reformation Party, Accelerated Africa Development Association, Obedient People’s Party, Zonal Rescue Movement, Zuma Reform, Party for Socialist Transformation, Liberation Peoples Party, Progressive Obedient Party, and Great Nigeria Party.

The submissions also feature names such as National Youth Alliance, National Reform Party, Patriotic Congress Party, Community Alliance Party, Grassroots Alliance Party, Advance Nigeria Congress, All Nigerians Alliance, All Labour Party, Team New Nigeria, About All Nigeria, Nigeria Liberty Movement, National Democratic Party, and Citizen United Congress.

Further applications came under banners like All Gender Party, Polling Units Ambassadors of Nigeria, Village Intelligence Party, Great Transformation Party, Alliance Social Party, Nigeria Democratic Alliance, New National Democratic Party, Nourish Democratic Peoples Congress, All Youth Reclaim Party, Marina Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Alliance Youth Party of Nigeria, The True Democrats, Democratic People’s Congress, National Democratic Movement, Economic Liberations Party, and Grassroot Ambassadors Party.

Additional entries included: All for All Congress, Peoples Democratic Alliance, United Youths Party of Nigeria, Peoples Liberations Party, Democratic Union for Progress, Citizen Democratic Alliance, Africa Action Group, Patriot Alliance Network, Democratic Leadership Party, Pink Political Party, Young Motivation and Awareness for Development Forum, Access Party, and Young Progressive Empowerment Initiative.

Rounding up the list are names such as Republican Party of Nigeria, Sceptre Influence Party, Young Democratic Congress, Patriotic Nigeria Party, Far Right Party, Democratic Peoples Party, United Citizens Congress, Reset Nigeria, New Nigeria Democratic Party, Save Nigeria People Party, Above All, Alliance for Youth and Women, and Rebuild Nigeria Group.

The remainder of the applications includes: Citizens Progressive Party, Guardian Party, Abiding Greatness Party, Patriotic Party, Development and Freedom Party, Peace, Unity and Prosper Culture, The Populist, New Nigeria Leadership Party, All Allies Alliance, National Action Network, Coalition for Nigerian Democrats, Abundance Africa Alliance, Free Will Humanitarian Party, Peoples Emancipation Party, Peoples Liberations Congress Party, and Peoples Democratic Congress.

With the review underway, Nigerians now await INEC’s official release of those associations that will move closer to becoming registered political parties.